Essay #1

       The ancient Greeks used the term arête to describe one’s full potential. To reach your full potential you have to be inspired to do good works. Arête is also relative to the word virtue which is being the best that you can be. Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, reached his arête. Socrates tried to get people to think for themselves and even died for that. That was a brave thing to do and I believe that arête also deals with being valiant and brave. Socrates was certainly courageous.  I believe the bravest thing he did was announcing to the people of Athens, who were part of the jury at his trial, that they are like a lazy horse and he was a horse fly that buzzed around just to keep the sluggish horse alert. Socrates was also a deep thinker that dove into the thought of new discovery. Socrates was inspired to do his best and even exceed some people’s expectations. His full potential was immense and Socrates absolutely demonstrated his full arête.